Condenser



Dc. 22,4 1931. J, F GRACE I 1,837,860

CONDENSER Filed. April 17. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,ATTORI EY Dec. 22, 1931. 1 F GRACE 1,837,860

'CONDENSER Filed April 17, 1930 6 cs-Sheet 2 JOHN F GRACE.

/NVENTOR 4 TIGR/v5 Y Dec. 22, 1931.

J. F. GRACE 1,837,860

CONDENSER Filed April 17, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 wm um?" Jol-N F. Gaaf/E.

1N VENTO/e A TORNEY Dec. 22', 1931. J F, GRACE 1,837,860

CONDENSER Filed April 17, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 10 Y# d N o Y lo q1 '0 JoHN FIGRAoE.

/NVENTOR A TT [eA/EY Dec. z2, 1931. 1 F GRACE 1,837,860

CONDENSER Filed April 17, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jol-1N E GRACE.

/NVENTOR ATT RNEY Dec. 22, 1931. J. F. GRACE CONDENSER Filed April 17, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 JOHNFGRACE.

[N VENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, 1931 irse STATES PATgEN T 0F FICE JOHN F. GRACE, OF ARLINGTON,'NEW ERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WORTHINGTON PUMP5AND` MA'CH1NERYCORYPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AA CORPORATION `OI". VIRGINIA CONDENSER applicati@ fuenprii 17,

This invention relates to steam condensers of the surface type and an object'of the invention is'to provide means whereby a sur- 'face condenser of the divided water circu- 5 lation type may be easily andreadily converted into an undivided water circulation type or vice versa.

ln steam conden'sers of large capacity, the quantity of water lcirculated through the lo condenser tubes for condencing the steam is great, reachingin some installations approximately 120,000 gallons per minute whenthe condenser is operating under full load. In condensersof divided water circulatiointhis cooling water is passed through the. condenser in two or more parallel flowing quantities, provided by `division partitions in the water boxes of the condenser, each of which quantities preferablywhas its own water cirzo culating pumps. v

At certain times, however, thecondenser operates under reduced or part load and then, it is not'necessary to circulate the maximum quantity of cooling waterthrough the condenser, also it may be necessary to shut down one of the water circulating pumpsfor repair or other reasons, and at such times, it is undesirable to shut down the condenser and its companion equipment.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide means whereby a reduced quantity of cooling water maybe `circulated through the condenser either during the operation of the condenser under partial load Y or at times when it is necessary to shut down one of the water circulating pumps and consequently reduce the cost of operation of the plant or reduce the shut-down losses thereof.

More specifically, the present invention U comprehends the -provision of a condenser having openings in the partitions in the water box by means of which the water may flow from one division of the water box to the other, utilizing one pump only, for the 'i circulation of the cooling water and gates for normally closing said openings together with means for operating said gates.

`With these and other objects in View, as

may appear from theaccompanying specification, the invention consists-"of 'various feation.

nism' inv side elevation.

,1930. seriai No. 445,070.

tures Vof construction and combination of parts, which will be first described in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing condensersof the preferred, and modied forms, embodying the invention, 55 and the `features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the claims.

4In the drawings :--k Fig. l is an end view of a condenser with the end plate'removed to show the interi-or of 10 `the Vwater box and showing the partition,

gates, andtheir operating structure insection.

-modified form of the invention, showing the gates `and their operating mechanism insec- Fig. 8 is a vertical section `through l`the"80 modified -form of the. condenser, ill-ustrated yin Fig'. 7 and showing the gates Vand.` their operating mechanism in elevation.

9 iis an enlarged detailed section through vthe gates of the modified form of A85 thezinvention.

Fig. 10 is a `fragmentary end elevation partly in section of another modified form of `the condenser, showing the gates in section.

Fig. l1 is a fragmentary section through "Q0 the water box ofthe modied form shown in Fig. l0, illustrating the gate and its operating mechanism in elevation.

Fig. l2 is -a fragmentary section through the water box of a further modified form of 95 the invention and- Figgl is a section through the water box ofthe modified form shown inFig. 12, illustrating the gate and aits operating mechal In all of the various figures of the drawings, the partitions and gates are shown in only one of the water boxes of a surface condenser of approved type. However, it is to be understood that the partitions, gates and their operating mechanism maybe duplicated in both water boxes of the condenser and that the mechanism forming the present invention may be incorporated, with any approved type of 'condenser regardless of the tube sheet layout, etc. without departing from the spirit of the invention. y

Referring particularly to the form of invention disclosed in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the

condenser 1, which may be of any approved type has water boxes- 2 positioned as usual .at each end thereof and'it is provided with approved types of tube sheets 3 carrying the tubes 4 through which the water circulates from one of the water boxes to the other. All of thisV construction being `the approved manner of constructing surface steam condensers.

The condensers of the present invention are of the divided water circulation type, that is, each water box 2 has a substantially central partition 10 therein and as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings leach of the divisions or compartments 11 and 12 provided by the partitions 10 has a water pipe connection 13 connected thereto, which at the water inlet end of the condenser maybe connected to water' circulating pumps (not shown) and in very large condensers of many ,thousand square feet capacity preferably 'two pumps (not shown) are used for circulating the cooling water through the condenser. At the outlet end of the condenser, the pipey connections 13 are of course connected to discharge or outlet pipes (not shown). In this type of condenser, the water flows in a plurality of substantially parallel quantities through the condenser tubes 4, the different quantities being provided by the partition plates 10.

At times, for various reasons, such as above enumerated, and others, it is desirable to have all of the water flowing through the condenser tubes supplied by one of the water circulating pumps or from one of the compartments 11 or 12 and to permit this operation, the parti- "tions 10 are provided with openings to establish communication between the compartments or divisions 11 and 12 and render them,

'in effect, a single compartment, and also to convert the condenser to the undivided water circulationtype. Y

In the form of condenser shown in Figs. 1 to of the partition in any suitable manner to provide fluid tight joints. Each of the spaced walls 14 is provided with an opening 16 and these openings aline as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and' of the drawings. The openings 16 provide communication between the compartwals are provided in their spaced relation for the purpose of providing a compartment 18 into which the gates 17 move when they are open. The gates 17 have depending hooklike lifting extensions 19 on their inner facing sides which are adapted to be engaged by the upstanding wedges 20 formed on the head 21. The head 21 is carried by the lifting rod 22, which extends through the compartment 18, guide 23, and is connected to a piston 24. The piston 24 is mounted in a cylinder 25, for reciprocatory movement therein. The cylinder 25 is adapted to receive any suitable fluid under pressure and it has a fluid inlet pipe 26 communicating with the lower end thereof below the lowermost position of the piston 24. The pipe 26 is connected to a three-way valve 27 of any approved construction and this valve has communication through a connection 28 with the top or upper end of the cylinder 25 and with a suitable pressure fluid supply source 29, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

When the Oates 17 are in their closed position, the piston 24 is at its lowermost position inthe cylinder 25. To open the gates, the valve 27 is operated to permit the pressure fluidto flow into the cylinder 25 below the piston 24 and acting on the piston, this pressure fluid will raise it in the 'cylinder 25 and will raise or open the gates 17 through the medium ofthe connecting rod 22.

When the gates 17 are in their open or raised position and it is desired to close them, the valve 27 isoperated to open the pipe 26 tothe vdischarge and to admit the pressure fluid into the cylinder 25 above the piston 24.

The pressure of the fluid against the piston 24 will be more than sutlicient to overcome any retarding action of the pressure fluid beneath the piston 24, the pressure thereof being recarried by the member 32, which is in turn 3,115.'

carried by the gates 17. The spreaders 31 are engaged by the under surface 33 by the head 21, when the gates 17 reach their closed position and the pressure of the head 21 on the spreaders 31 will force them outwardly and :l d

will consequently force the gates 17 tightly against their seats 34. Suitable metal rings 35 may be provided for increasing the tightness of the oint between the gates 17 and the seats 34.

An indicating rod 37 is preferably connected to the pistou 24 and projects out of the water box 2 of the condenser so that the exact positions of the gates 17 may be readily determined at all times.

A drainage cup or well 38 is provided which has communication with the space between the walls or partitions 14, so that any water pocketed between the gates 17 when they are closed, may .drain therefrom and be withdrawn from the well 38 through the outlet openings 39.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings, a modified form of the invention is shown which includes the partition 40 in the condenser water box 41 having the spaced walls 42 and 43, each of which is provided with an opening 44 to permit communication between the divisions or compartments in the water box formed by the partition structure.

The gates 45 in this modified form have rings 46 carried thereby for engagement with the seats 47, which surround the openings 44. A connecting rod 48 is connected to the gates 45 by means of a head or collar 49. The connecting rod 48 is in turn connected to a piston 50 mounted for reciprocatory movement in the cylinder 51. rllhe cylinder 51 has pressure fiuid pipes 52 and 53 coinmunicating therewith at its upper and lower ends respectively, for permitting the admission and discharge of pressure iuid into and from the cylinder for the purpose of moving the piston 50 to open or close the gates 45.

The gates 45 have downwardly and outwardly inclining cams 54 formed on their inner surfaces and these cams 54 are engaged by a spreader wedge 55, which is connected to the gates 45 by means of a flange-like head 56 that engages .against the upper edges of the cams 54. The spreader wedge is consequently carried upwardly with the gates 45 and being free, forms direct connection with the gates, it rides freely and releases the gates of its lateral spreading or pressing action. A rod 57 is connected to the lower end of the spreader wedge 55 and it is of such length that just as the gates 45 reach their closed position, its lower end will engage against the inner surface 58 of the base member 59 of the partition and force the spreader wedge 55 upwardly over the inclining surfaces of the cams 54 for forcing the gates 45 outwardly and tightly against their seats 57.

The base member 59 may be a part of the water box, having the upstanding lugs 60 thereon to which the lower ends of the walls 42 and 43 are connected. The piston 50 has an indicater 61 connected thereto, which projects through the top of the cylinder 51 and is visible from the exterior or condenser, so that the location of the gates 45 may be readily determined.

The gates 45 are raised and lowered through the movement of the piston 50 under action of pressure fluid in the same manner in which the gates 17 of the preferred form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive are operated.

ln Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings a further modified form of the invention is shown and in this modification, the water box has a partition 71 therein, which is provided with an opening 72 surrounded by a laterally extending flange 73, the outer surface of which forms the seat for the gate 74. In contradistinction to the structures of Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, only a single gate is provided in this modified form illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings.

The gate 74 has lugs 75 formed thereon, which are engaged by the nut 76, through which the feedV screw 77 passes. The feed screw 77 extends downwardly through the gate receiving pocket 78 and has a gear 79 Amounted on its lower end. In the drawings, the gear 7 9 is shown as a beveled gear, which meshes with a second beveled gear S0 mounted on the shaft 81.

The shaft Slinay be rotated in any suitable manner either manually or by power mechanism and the rotation of the shaft 81 will, through the beveled gears 79 and 80 rotate the feed screw 77 within the nut 76, .and

raise or lower the gate 74 depending upon the direction of rotationr of the shaft 81. When the gate 74 is opened, it moves downwardly over its guides 82 into the pocket 7 8 to permit communication between the divisions or com partments 33 formed by the partition 71 in `102 and 103 provided with the alining openings 104 and 105. The openings 104 and 105 are normally closedv by gates 106 and 107,

which have a feed nut 108 connected thereto.

which .meshes with a pinion 112. The pinion 112 is carried by a shaft 113, supported by a suitable bracket 114. A hand wheel 115 is mounted upon the shaft 113 to facilitate manual rotation thereof. Tt will'be noted that tl rough the different ratio of the gear 111 and the pinion 112, the feed screw 109 will be rotated at lesser rate of speed than the shaft 113, which is also truc of the feed screw 77 and shaft 81 of the form shown in Figs. 10 and 11 due to the ratio of the gears 79 and 80.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to theV specific construction or arrangement of the parts shown but that they may be widely modified within the inxf'ention defined by the claims.

l/Vhat is claimed is:

1 1. ln'a condenser having water boxes. partitions within said wat-er boxes. each of said partitions including spaced walls having openings therein to establish communication PLI ltr

between the Water box compartments formed `by the partitions, gates mounted between gate seats surrounding said openingsandl spreader means operable at the time when said gates rea-ch their closed position to force the gates tightly in engagement with said seats.

3. In a condenser having water boxes. partitions within said water boxes, each of said partitions comprising spaced walls having openings therein to establish communication between the water box compartments formed by the partitions, gates between said spaced walls for closing said openings, apressure actuated piston connected to each pair of gates positioned between the spaced walls for moving the gates into open and closed posi* tion, and an indicator` connected to said piston and visible from the exterior of the condenser to indicate the posit-ion of said gates.

4. In a condenser having water boxes. partitions within said water boxes, each of said partitions including spaced walls, having openings therein to establish communication between the water box compartments formed by the partiti ons, gates mounted between said spaced walls for closing said openings, cams on the inner sides of said gates, a spreader wedge for engagement with said cams.A and means connected to said spreader wedge for forcing it into gate spreading engagement with said cams, when the gates reach closed position.

5. In a condenser having water boxes, a partition in one of said water boxes provided with an opening establishing communication between the water box compartments formed by said partition, a gate for closing said opening, pressure fluid operated means for closing said gate, and including a connecting rod, a spreader wedge on said connecting rod. a cam on said gate, and means connected to said spreader wedge for forcing it into gate moving engagement with said cam, when the gate reaches closed position.

6. In a condenser having water boxes. a partition in one of said water boxes provided with an opening establishing communication Abetween the water box compartments formed by said partition, a gate for closing said opening, pressure fluid operated means for closing vsaid gate, and including aconnecting rod, a spreader wedge on said connecting rod, a cam on said gate, and means connected to said spreader wedge for forcing it into gate moving engagement with said cam, when the gate reaches closed position, and an indicator connected to said pressure fluid operated means and visible exteriorly of the condenser, to indicate the position cf the gate.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

JOI-IN F. GRACE. 

